Which is why cotton grower Frank Deshon believes an opportunity to enhance the processing capacity in the region has been missed.

"This was probably the last throw of the dice for the area where we had an outsider coming in that had the cash and the foresight to build another gin."

"Unfortunately for another gin to come into the area without the support of Cubbie, that doesn't look good for their prospects."

More drought awareness needed in cities

Amy McCosker

In the newly declared shires the relief of having freight and water subsidies has taken some of the pressure off but many say it's a sort-term fix.

Grazier and grain grower Ben Groat has a property on the far eastern side of the Balonne Shire near St George.

He says urban people need a better understanding of what's happening in the bush.

"If this drought was happening in Africa it would be getting a lot more media attention," he says.

Mr Groat says he believes more coverage would soften people's attitudes to farmers.

"Environmentalism is a luxury of the wealthy. The voting population is in the cities so if they were more sympathetic to the regional areas the politicians would take a more sympathetic view as well."

Farmers in the Balonne and Maranoa regional council districts have been added to the growing list of drought declared shires in Queensland.

There are now twenty-six drought declared council areas, 6 partially declared and forty individually droughted properties in other local government areas, making just over 62 per cent of the state now officially in drought.

Things are still tough for those outside the drought declared area.

Grazier Ken Stephenson from 'Wilga Vale' north Moura in the Banana Shire says the small amount of rain they got last week was only short term relief.

"The light country is looking a bit green but the heavy country, which is most of our country is still very dry," he says.

"The feed quality is very poor.

Mr Stephenson says he doesn't think many people in his region are hoping for a drought declaration.

"As far as a freight subsidy, we probably haven't got anywhere to go, what we really need is some rain. "

For maps of the drought declared areas and boundary descriptions visit www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au

For the latest information about support programs, go to www.daff.qld.gov.au